1 Samuel 10:14

SAUL KEEPS THE ANOINTING A SECRET

"Saul's uncle said to him and to his servant, "Where did you go"? And he said, "To seek the asses; and when we saw they were not to be found, we went to Samuel." And Saul's uncle said, "Pray tell me what Samuel said to you." And Saul said to his uncle, "He told us plainly that the asses had been found." But about the matter of the kingdom, of which Samuel had spoken, he did not tell him anything."

The manner in which the name of Samuel is mentioned so casually in this passage presupposes that the identity of this great leader was well known in Saul's family. Therefore what is often alleged regarding Saul's not ever having heard of him is in error. The thing, of which Saul was ignorant as they approached Ramah was the fact of Samuel's being in the city on that particular day.

Saul's refusal to say anything about the kingdom and his anointing by Samuel was probably due to the instructions the prophet had given him.